Approval puts wind in energy project’s sails

The State Government has approved a renewable energy project featuring 56 wind turbines about 250km north-west of Toowoomba.

The State Government says over 400 jobs will be generated next year as part of a multi-million-dollar renewable energy project in south-west Queensland.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, said 56 wind turbines had been approved for the $450 million Renewable Energy Systems wind farm project at Dulacca, 250km north-west of Toowoomba.

Mr Dick said the wind farm would produce about 240 megawatts of power for the Western Downs.

About 400 construction jobs and 35 ongoing jobs are expected to be generated from the project from early next year.

“This project will help with the continued economic diversification of Dulacca, stimulating job growth during both construction and operation,” Mr Dick said.

In addition
to the turbines, the proposed development will also involve associated
infrastructure such as a substation, meteorology masts, overhead lines and
access tracks.

Renewable Energy Systems development project manager Llion Parry said construction of the wind farm would begin early next year and be fully operational by 2021.

“The wind
farm development approval is a significant milestone for the project and we are
excited to bring a renewable energy project of this scale to the Western Downs
region,” Mr Parry said.

“The site
for the wind farm was chosen due to its excellent wind resource, proximity to
the transmission network, and low environmental impact.”

Renewable
Energy Systems is also investigating the possibility of developing a solar farm
on the site.